Cherry Picking - Jan 9, 2013

Hockey's back and that means you are seeing players in places other than walking into negotiation meetings. For Zack Kassian, he made his Late Night Show debut but likely not in the way he would have envisioned.

Nine months ago the Canucks goalie controversy reared it's head with Cory Schneider taking the reins, but one problem - Roberto Luongo remains a Canuck. It's a conundrum David Ebner of the Globe and Mail says is "one of hockey's great stories after the lockout, an extended tale whose final chapter will be told in the next week."

Cam Barker was a highly-touted 3rd overall pick. Jim Vandermeer wasn't even drafted at all. The Province's Ben Kuzma says the two defencemen are competing for a coveted 8th spot on a deep Canucks blue-line. "There's a real need for a dependable No. 8 because a condensed 48-game season will expose everyone to a heightened risk of injury in a sprint toward the playoffs."

Think Cory Schneider is worried about being the #1 man in a pressure cooker like Vancouver? "I've felt pressure every single game I've played in this city," Schneids told The Vancouver Sun's Ian MacIntyre. "I can tell you my expectations are much higher than anyone else's."

Rapid Fire

-Jose Canseco wants to be the next Mayor of Toronto because, why not? And apparently his campaign is picking up courtesy the one and only @Strombone1.

-Nicklas Jensen (AIK) will be facing off against fellow Canuck prospect, Henrik Tommernes (Frolunda) Thursday in Swedish Elite League action. Jensen's 13 goals are more than double the next junior player in the SEL, while Tommernes is 2nd on his club in defensive scoring.